Squealing When Turning Wheels

I searched around for a similar topic, but couldnt find what i needed. recently, my car has been emitting a high-pitched squeal when i turn the steering wheel in either direction. i only hear this when stopped or traveling at low speeds, but that may simply be because there is other noise that drowns it out when i'm driving normally. it is definately coming from the front of the car, seemingly behind the wheel.

the power steering fluid reservior is full, i believe the steering pump is fine, the belt is brand new, and i have made no suspension changes to my car. i also looked under the car to see if anything appeared to visually be wrong, but i didnt have anyone to turn the wheels for me while i watched, so i couldnt figure much out. the squealing doesnt happen only when the wheels are turned to the extreme left or right. if they are pointed straight ahead and i make even a slight turn left or right, the noise begins.

if anyone has any suggestions or knows what the problem is, i'd appreciate the help. thanks! -Dan

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My 96 gt made pretty much the same type of noise, under the same circumstances. I kind of ignored the noise thinking it was a bad strut on the front. After about a month of driving it like that I was backing out of a parking space and my passenger side front hit the ground, driving the wheel up into the fender. Turns out the ball joint had completely gone out. I was lucky that it did it backing out though. If it had went out at medium to high speed, the entire passenger fender would have been gone, and I could have possibly been hurt very badly.

45k on a 2000? WOW!
Can you say: LOW MILAGE!?
good job. And good luck on your problem... I know the ol' Ford Power Steering Pumps ALWAYS make noise. They whine from the day they leave the assembly line, but your sound seems different...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chris8519 @ April 14, 2006, 4:26 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
45k on a 2000? WOW!
Can you say: LOW MILAGE!?
good job. And good luck on your problem... I know the ol' Ford Power Steering Pumps ALWAYS make noise. They whine from the day they leave the assembly line, but your sound seems different...
[/b][/quote]

i try not keep the mileage low, in part because i like to avoid problems like. i know some pumps can be notoriously noisy, but this sound does seem different and it only started recently. thanks for the encouraging words!

I jacked the car up and the wheels are tight, so i dont think its the ball joint. ive been trying to check the control arm bushings, but they seem to be good too. i dont have the time to inspect everything at once, so im going pretty slowly right now. thanks for the suggestions.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mudshuvel319 @ April 14, 2006, 7:04 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
i try not keep the mileage low, in part because i like to avoid problems like. i know some pumps can be notoriously noisy, but this sound does seem different and it only started recently. thanks for the encouraging words!
[/b][/quote]

Mine's a 2000 GT, bought in late 99, and I have yet to get to 30k... Talk about low mileage...

I asked someone and they also said ball joints... he a mechaniac so I guess that might count for something...

as for the belt, it started squealing about a month ago, so i changed the belt, because it did have a few hairline cracks it it. its plenty snug, and still makes the same noise. it very well could be the pump too.

this weekend i'm going to try to take a good look at the whole front suspension, and try to determine exactly where the noise is coming from. like i said, i didnt have anyone to turn the steering wheel while i looked around, so ill get someone to help me this weekend. whatever the noise is, its embarassing as heck to drive with, lol